In short
Whistler Blackcomb joins two mountains linked by the Peak 2 Peak, a three-kilometre gondola with no intermediate tower. It is the largest ski area on the continent.
In summer the resort becomes one of the world's main bike parks, with lifts open to downhill bikes.
What it really costs
Accommodation in the resort is expensive and so is the lift pass. Staying in Squamish or Pemberton, thirty minutes away, costs markedly less.
The Sea to Sky road from Vancouver is beautiful and free. Regular shuttles save on hire and on resort parking, which is expensive.
What nobody tells you
Whistler snow is wet and heavy compared with the Rockies: this is a coastal resort, and it sometimes rains at the base while it snows at the top.
The working holiday permit feeds the seasonal workforce, and worker housing is saturated. Coming to work a season means having sorted accommodation beforehand.
Black bears are present around the resort all year, residential streets included. The rules on rubbish are strict and enforced with fines.